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Processed food

Export frozen vegetables

IQF peas, corn, okra and Indian vegetables for diaspora retail and food service. Needs a –18 °C chain from plant to shelf.

Free to exportHS 0710
HS code
0710
Vegetables, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling, frozen: peas, beans, sweet corn, spinach, mixed vegetables, okra and others.
Export policy
Free to export
Free under ITC(HS) Schedule 2. Confirm the exact line on DGFT.
Registrations
5
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 99.1 mn
to 66 countries

What is exported

Frozen vegetables from India are mainly individually quick frozen (IQF) peas, sweet corn, okra, drumstick, mixed vegetables and Indian specialities such as tindora and karela. Buyers are Indian grocery chains abroad and food-service companies. APEDA groups them with processed vegetables, whose main markets in 2025-26 were the USA, the UK, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • IQF green peas and sweet cornThe volume lines.
  • Mixed vegetables and cut beansFor food service and retail.
  • Indian vegetablesOkra, drumstick, tindora, karela, surti papdi and grated coconut for diaspora shops.
  • Frozen potato productsFrench fries are classified under 2004, not 0710.

Where it is grown or made

  • Punjab and HaryanaPeas and sweet corn processing near Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Sonipat.
  • Gujarat and MaharashtraSurat, Navsari, Vadodara and Pune — Indian vegetables for diaspora retail.
  • Himachal Pradesh and Uttar PradeshPeas and beans from hill and plain belts.

Export packing

  • Retail packs printed to the destination’s labelling law, in master cartons on pallets; mixed-product containers are common for diaspora buyers.
  • Bulk IQF in 10–20 kg poly-lined cartons for food service; reefers at –18 °C or colder.

Who buys abroad

  • Indian and South Asian grocery distributors in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and the Gulf
  • Food-service and catering distributors
  • Food manufacturers buying ingredients in bulk

The quality buyers ask for

Codex standard
Quick frozen vegetables CXS 320-2015
Temperature
–18 °C or colder at the core, throughout storage and transport
Blanching
Enzyme inactivation confirmed by peroxidase test
Microbiology
Meets the destination’s microbiological criteria and the buyer’s specification

Certificates

  • FSSAI licenceRequiredCentral licence from FSSAI for the premises where the food is made, packed or stored for export. Apply on FoSCoS.
  • APEDA RCMCRequiredRegistration with APEDA, issued as an RCMC on the DGFT portal. Since 15 Sep 2026, a consignment up to ₹3 lakh FOB can go without it.
  • BRCGS Food SafetyOften askedGFSI-recognised standard asked for by UK and many EU retailers for private label.
  • ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000Often askedFood-safety management certification; FSSC 22000 is GFSI-recognised, which large retailers and brands look for.
  • HalalOften askedAsked for by many buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia and Indonesia. Use a body the destination recognises.
  • US FDA food-facility registrationOften askedEvery facility making food for the USA must register with the FDA, and each shipment needs prior notice. Canned and acidified foods also need FCE/SID process filing.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

40-ft reefers at –18 °C to –20 °C, cartons on pallets; mixed loads with other frozen foods.

How it travels

Sea reefer from Nhava Sheva, Mundra or Chennai.

Storage

Unbroken cold chain; never let product thaw and refreeze.

Shelf life

Typically 18–24 months at –18 °C.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • EU retail packs (Regulation 1169/2011): name of the food, ingredients with allergens highlighted, net quantity, best-before or use-by date, storage conditions, the EU importer’s name and address, origin where required — in the language of the country of sale.
  • USA (21 CFR 101): product name, net quantity in US and metric units, ingredients, major allergens (including sesame), the packer’s or distributor’s name and place of business, Nutrition Facts unless exempt, and “Product of India”.
  • Gulf countries: Arabic text (Arabic plus English is normal), production and expiry dates, net weight, country of origin and importer details. Confirm current rules with your importer.
  • Frozen packs: “Keep frozen at –18 °C or below” and “Do not refreeze after thawing”, with cooking instructions.
  • Lot or batch number on every pack and carton, matching the invoice and packing list, so the goods can be traced and recalled.
Where to get it tested

Use an FSSAI-notified laboratory (fssai.gov.in → notified labs) or an NABL-accredited lab with your product and test in scope (nabl-india.org). APEDA-recognised labs are listed on apeda.gov.in → Quality → Recognised Organisations. Ask the buyer which lab reports they accept before you send samples.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • FSSAIFood business licence. Food exporters come under the Central licence; apply on FoSCoS and keep it valid for the premises you make or pack from.foscos.fssai.gov.in ↗
  • APEDARegistration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) for APEDA-scheduled products. Apply on the DGFT portal after you have your IEC.dgft.gov.in ↗
  • Buyer-country food registrationMany importing countries register the foreign plant or the product — for example US FDA food-facility registration, GACC registration for China, or product registration in some Gulf states. Check APEDA’s importing-country regulations page.apeda.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Blanching validated (peroxidase test) and core temperature of –18 °C or colder at dispatch.
  • Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli tests; Listeria control matters most for ready-to-eat use.
  • Pesticide residues within the importing country’s limits (see APEDA’s MRL database).
  • Labels made for the destination: ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date, importer details and the language that country requires.
How to start small

Work with an IQF plant that already exports, and fill a mixed 40-ft reefer for one diaspora distributor with their private label. Use temperature loggers on every shipment. Since 15 September 2026, a consignment worth up to ₹3 lakh FOB does not need an RCMC (DGFT Notification 36/2026-27); licences that a law requires, such as FSSAI, still apply.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Temperature abuse at the port or during stuffing — refrozen product shows ice crystals and is rejected.
  • Skipping US FDA facility registration or prior notice — the shipment is refused at the US port.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (5)
  1. APEDA — Processed Vegetables (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  3. APEDA — Importing countries’ regulations
  4. FSSAI — FoSCoS food licensing portal
  5. DGFT Notification 36/2026-27 (15 Sep 2026) — no RCMC needed for consignments up to ₹3 lakh FOB

Trade data

Indian frozen vegetables exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 99.1 mn
+9.2% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +3.7%
US$ 95.6 mn → US$ 99.1 mn
Buyer countries
66
Average export price
US$ 0.81
per kg · 1,23,060 tonnes shipped · US$ 0.85 the year before
United States of America: US$ 18.5 mnRussia: US$ 12 mnSaudi Arabia: US$ 11.2 mnCanada: US$ 9.6 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 9.5 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 6.7 mnAustralia: US$ 5.5 mnNepal: US$ 4.4 mnOman: US$ 3.1 mnJapan: US$ 2.8 mnQatar: US$ 1.8 mnNew Zealand: US$ 1.2 mnTaiwan: US$ 1.1 mnMaldives: US$ 850kBahrain: US$ 780kKuwait: US$ 690kBelgium: US$ 640kColombia: US$ 540kIreland: US$ 540kChina: US$ 520kNetherlands: US$ 440kUnited States of America: US$ 18.5 mnUnited States of AmericaRussia: US$ 12 mnRussiaSaudi Arabia: US$ 11.2 mnSaudi ArabiaCanada: US$ 9.6 mnUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 9.5 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 6.7 mnUnited KingdomAustralia: US$ 5.5 mnAustraliaNepal: US$ 4.4 mnNepalOman: US$ 3.1 mnJapan: US$ 2.8 mnQatar: US$ 1.8 mnNew Zealand: US$ 1.2 mnTaiwan: US$ 1.1 mnMaldives: US$ 850kBahrain: US$ 780kKuwait: US$ 690kBelgium: US$ 640kColombia: US$ 540kIreland: US$ 540kChina: US$ 520kNetherlands: US$ 440kIndia
Where Indian frozen vegetables goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 63.9 mn642020-212021-22: US$ 52.9 mn532021-222022-23: US$ 76.1 mn762022-232023-24: US$ 93.4 mn932023-242024-25: US$ 95.6 mn962024-252025-26: US$ 99.1 mn992025-26
India’s frozen vegetables exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2020-21 — a 46% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 0.75 per kg0.752021-22: US$ 0.99 per kg2022-23: US$ 1.09 per kg1.092024-25: US$ 0.85 per kg2025-26: US$ 0.81 per kg0.812020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian frozen vegetables · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 63.9 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 52.9 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 76.1 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 93.4 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 95.6 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 99.1 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 119 mn (US$ 98.6 mn – US$ 143 mn)1192026-272027-28: US$ 134 mn (US$ 109 mn – US$ 164 mn)1342027-28
India’s frozen vegetables exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 134 mn

Likely range US$ 109 mn to US$ 164 mn.

Trend
+12.7% a year
Fit (R²)
0.77
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1United States of AmericaUS$ 18.5 mn-8.9%
2RussiaUS$ 12 mn+48.5%
3Saudi ArabiaUS$ 11.2 mn+9.9%
4CanadaUS$ 9.6 mn+7.1%
5United Arab EmiratesUS$ 9.5 mn-7.9%
6United KingdomUS$ 6.7 mn+32.2%
7AustraliaUS$ 5.5 mn+2.8%
8NepalUS$ 4.4 mn-16.2%
9OmanUS$ 3.1 mn+17.2%
10JapanUS$ 2.8 mn+21.4%
11QatarUS$ 1.8 mn-22.6%
12New ZealandUS$ 1.2 mn+0.8%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. RussiaUS$ 8.1 mn → US$ 12 mn+48.5%
  2. United KingdomUS$ 5.1 mn → US$ 6.7 mn+32.2%
  3. JapanUS$ 2.3 mn → US$ 2.8 mn+21.4%
  4. OmanUS$ 2.6 mn → US$ 3.1 mn+17.2%
  5. TaiwanUS$ 1 mn → US$ 1.1 mn+10.9%

Low demand

  1. GuatemalaUS$ 1.3 mn → US$ 570k-57.1%
  2. MaldivesUS$ 1.4 mn → US$ 850k-37%
  3. QatarUS$ 2.3 mn → US$ 1.8 mn-22.6%
  4. NepalUS$ 5.3 mn → US$ 4.4 mn-16.2%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Vegetables, sweetcorn, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozen — sweet corn frzn0710 40 00US$ 34.2 mn+5.6%44,595 tonnesUS$ 0.77 per kgwas US$ 0.79
Vegetables, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water in heading no. 0710, frozen — other vegetables, frozn0710 80 90US$ 32.6 mn+15.4%21,059 tonnesUS$ 1.55 per kgwas US$ 1.54
Peas shelled or unshelled,frzn0710 21 00 · Vegetables, leguminous, peas, shelled or unshelled, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozenUS$ 16.2 mn+1.2%16,196 tonnesUS$ 1.00 per kgwas US$ 1.28
Mixture of vegetables frzn0710 90 00 · Vegetable mixtures, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozenUS$ 5.6 mn-13.1%6,182 tonnesUS$ 0.91 per kgwas US$ 1.08
Potatoes cooked or uncooked,frozen0710 10 00 · Vegetables, potatoes, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozenUS$ 4.6 mn-18.5%31,306 tonnesUS$ 0.15 per kgwas US$ 0.18
Beans shelled or unshelled,frzn0710 22 00 · Vegetables, leguminous, beans, shelled or unshelled, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water…US$ 3.2 mn+14%2,237 tonnesUS$ 1.42 per kgwas US$ 1.52
Other leguminous vegtbls sheld or not frzn0710 29 00 · Vegetables, leguminous,, shelled or unshelled, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water, frozenUS$ 2.3 mn-36.9%1,125 tonnesUS$ 2.07 per kgwas US$ 2.10
Vegetables, spinach, New Zealand spinach and orache spinach, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in… — spinach frzn0710 30 00US$ 350k+2.9%318 tonnesUS$ 1.10 per kgwas US$ 1.04
Vegetables, uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water in heading no. 0710, frozen — tarragon0710 80 10US$ 40k—42 tonnesUS$ 0.96 per kg

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 8.45 bn
2023
India among exporters
#17
of 141 countries
India’s share of world exports
1.1%
US$ 95.8 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 8.33 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 1.5 bn 17.8%
  2. 2BelgiumUS$ 1.49 bn 17.7%
  3. 3SpainUS$ 787 mn 9.3%
  4. 4MexicoUS$ 644 mn 7.6%
  5. 5PolandUS$ 476 mn 5.6%
  6. 6NetherlandsUS$ 433 mn 5.1%
  7. 7FranceUS$ 351 mn 4.2%
  8. 8EgyptUS$ 269 mn 3.2%
  9. 9USAUS$ 269 mn 3.2%
  10. 10EcuadorUS$ 192 mn 2.3%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 1.43 bn 17%
  2. 2JapanUS$ 1.06 bn 12.5%
  3. 3GermanyUS$ 748 mn 8.8%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 649 mn 7.7%
  5. 5BelgiumUS$ 481 mn 5.7%
  6. 6United KingdomUS$ 451 mn 5.3%
  7. 7ItalyUS$ 379 mn 4.5%
  8. 8SpainUS$ 315 mn 3.7%
  9. 9Rep. of KoreaUS$ 313 mn 3.7%
  10. 10NetherlandsUS$ 249 mn 2.9%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 1.46 bnIndia 1.3% · gap US$ 1.44 bn
JapanUS$ 1.08 bnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 1.07 bn
GermanyUS$ 782 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 782 mn
FranceUS$ 710 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 710 mn
United KingdomUS$ 451 mnIndia 0.8% · gap US$ 447 mn
ItalyUS$ 421 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 421 mn
SpainUS$ 298 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 298 mn
South KoreaUS$ 296 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 296 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 264 mnIndia 0.2% · gap US$ 264 mn
CanadaUS$ 208 mnIndia 4.1% · gap US$ 200 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export frozen vegetables

China, Belgium, Spain and Poland lead the world trade in frozen vegetables, supplying supermarkets on price and scale. India’s niche is Indian vegetables — okra, drumstick, tindora, surti papdi, grated coconut — for diaspora grocery chains, plus peas and corn for nearby markets. Growth in Indian frozen foods abroad pulls frozen vegetables along with ready meals and snacks. The opening is for IQF plants with BRCGS or FSSC 22000 and a reliable cold chain to the port.

  1. 01Choose products and plant

    Pick lines your buyer needs and an IQF plant with export audits.

  2. 02Source raw vegetables

    Buy fresh produce with residue control, processed within hours of harvest.

  3. 03Make the export label

    Design a label for the destination’s law — not the Indian label — and have the importer approve it before printing.

  4. 04Test and store

    Test residues and micro; store at –18 °C or colder.

  5. 05Pre-cool the reefer

    Pre-cool the container, stuff quickly from a cold dock and fit a temperature logger.

  6. 06Book, stuff and file

    Book the container, stuff it with a pre-shipment check, file the shipping bill on ICEGATE and get the certificate of origin and any health certificate.

  7. 07Get paid and close the file

    Send the original documents through your bank (or to the buyer if paid in advance). Once the money arrives, get the e-BRC and claim RoDTEP and drawback where they apply.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting frozen vegetables

Are frozen French fries in this category?
No. Fries are prepared potatoes under heading 2004, with their own RoDTEP line.
What temperature must the reefer hold?
–18 °C or colder throughout; set it a little lower and use a logger as proof.
Which certification do retailers want?
BRCGS or FSSC 22000 for most supermarkets; diaspora distributors may accept HACCP with FSSAI.
What RoDTEP applies?
All frozen vegetables under 0710: 1.4% of FOB, no cap, continued to 31 Dec 2026.
Can I use my Indian label abroad?
Rarely. Each market has its own label law — make a separate export label and get the importer to approve it.
Sources (6)
  1. APEDA — Processed Vegetables (exports and destinations, 2025-26)
  2. Codex Alimentarius — list of standards
  3. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10 Oct 2024 (Notification No. 32, 30 Sep 2024)
  4. EU — Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers
  5. US eCFR — 21 CFR Part 101, food labelling
  6. FSSAI — Notified food testing laboratories

Who buys Indian frozen vegetables

All countries →

More in processed food

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